The gypsy music of Central Europe is combined with bebop, post-bop, and fre… Read Full Bio ↴The gypsy music of Central Europe is combined with bebop, post-bop, and free jazz influences by France-based acoustic band Bratsch. While their name is derived from a type of viola used to accompany Tsigane vocalists, the trio re-creates the traditional sounds of cymbaloms and percussion on guitar, accordion, and clarinet.

Bratsch was formed in 1975 by guitarist Dan Gharibian and violinist Bruno Girard. Gharibian, who was raised in an Armenian home, was inspired by the Armenian, Russian, Greek and Oriental music favored by his grandparents. Although he played with teen-aged rock bands, he became fascinated with the music of Django Reinhardt at the age of 14. Girard, who studied violin at the age of nine, refused to read music, preferring to play by memory. After receiving a degree in biology, he spent a decade working in science while playing music part-time. Although they initially mixed a global range of musical styles including Arabic and South African music, Bratsch soon shifted their focus to gypsy jazz. The group also features accordion player François Castiello and clarinet player Nano Peylet.

Bratsch have taken the music of the European Gypsies and turned it into something all their very own, bringing it to life with masterly skill in their atmospheric and compact concerts. Their music brings new vitality to both the traditions of Eastern Europe and the roots of "Tsigane Jazz", as made world famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. With great emotion, poignant melodies and subtle arrangements, they create a unique acoustic music, which, for years, has been enthralling both the French audiences and the press in equal measure. Their first live album is a rare document, recording their very first German concert.

"These vagabonds carry the nostalgia of Eastern Europe in their bundles, the vibrancy of the Mediterranean, the dexterity of the Gypsies and the irony of the Jews. Music without frontiers." (Le Monde)

"A wondrous journey from West to East with a band of joyously abandoned nomads, who poke fun at all restraints. Whether the tunes they play are Gypsy, Russian, Armenian, or Yiddish, or their own original songs, they have the audience on its feet, shouting for more." (L’Express)

"The music of Bratsch is vital, lyrical, raw and romantic, but never sentimental and certainly never saccharine." (plärrer)

Nous chantons
Bratsch Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Pour toi qui n'aimes pas le monde
Ni la vie, ni notre ronde
Nous chantons pour que ton cœur
Un jour connaisse le bonheur
Le bonheur d'être là simplement
De laisser monter les sentiments
Et l'amour
Pour que tu n'aies plus peur de tout ce qui t'entoure

Nous chantons pour que tu rêves sans penser à demain
Rejoins-nous le temps d'un refrain
Et oublie tout
{Refrain:}
Chante mesdames et messieurs, chante, chante
Avec nous, vole au-delà de tout
Il sera temps de nous lamenter
Quand viendra le temps de se lamenter
Et pour toi qui aimes le monde
Toi qui danses dans notre ronde
Nous chantons pour que la flamme
Toujours continue de briller
De briller comme quand tu es heureux
De briller dans tes yeux chaleureux,
Amoureux
Toi qui sais bien que la vie ne dure qu'un instant
Nous chantons pour que tu rêves sans penser à demain
Rejoins-nous le temps d'un refrain

Et oublie tout
{au Refrain}

Overall Meaning

The song "Nous Chantons" by Bratsch is a beautiful message to those who do not love the world, life, or the circle of life that we all exist within. The lyrics express a desire to bring happiness to those who do not feel a connection to this world, with the hope that their hearts will one day know joy. The song invites the listener to join in singing, so that they can momentarily escape their fears and concerns, and experience the simple happiness of being present and allowing their emotions and love to rise up.

The song emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, without worrying about the future or what may come next. The lyrics speak to the beauty of life, even though it is fleeting, and encourages the listener to embrace the joys of life while they can. The song acknowledges that there will be time to mourn and lament later, but for now, the focus is on singing and being present in the moment.

Overall, "Nous Chantons" is a call to live life fully, embrace happiness, and experience joy even in the face of uncertainty and fear. It is a beautiful and poignant message that encourages listeners to embrace life and all its joys, rather than retreating from it.

Line by Line Meaning

Pour toi qui n'aimes pas le monde
We sing for you, who doesn't love the world

Ni la vie, ni notre ronde
Neither life nor our circle dance

Nous chantons pour que ton cœur
We sing so that your heart

Un jour connaisse le bonheur
May one day know happiness

Le bonheur d'être là simplement
The happiness of just being there

De laisser monter les sentiments
To let your feelings rise up

Et l'amour
And love

Pour que tu n'aies plus peur de tout ce qui t'entoure
So that you will no longer fear everything around you

Nous chantons pour que tu rêves sans penser à demain
We sing so that you dream without thinking about tomorrow

Rejoins-nous le temps d'un refrain
Join us for the duration of a refrain

Et oublie tout
And forget everything